From Fr. Provincial's desk
A letter for Christmas and the New Year
Dear parents, relatives, friends and
benefactors,
One year goes past, another one comes along!
How are you at
this end of year?
This is what I would ask you
if I had the chance of
coming to see you
and giving you the 'Seasons' Greetings' on behalf of all my
confreres.
As for us, what news can we give you?
You know, a missionary
does not have much security in life
except trust in the security that comes
from God.
Kevin, James and Roland (photos opposite)
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made a choice in their youth to live trusting
in God,
in his Divine Providence…
just like the African people with whom
they share their lives.
After a home leave in family,
they have just left
for Africa once again.
We are dependent on those who support us on a daily
basis, year in, year out.
This means you, our parents, relatives, friends and
benefactors.
It is our way of following in the footsteps of Jesus who
said,
"Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit."
Jesus moved around
without knowing where to lay his head.
He is without doubt the model for any
missionary
who gives his life so that others may live.
This is often said
when thinking about the adult Jesus.
However, was it not all predicted in the infancy narratives about Jesus?
(Click to enlarge and read the legend) |
Then, he was born during a journey,
he
fled into Egypt, he was present in the Temple aged 12,
under the guardianship
of his parents, Joseph and Mary,
and visibly in the hands of God: "I must be
about my Father's work."
This Christmas message is written to thank
you,
because year after year, you have shown us that God is looking after
us.
We wish you a peaceful Christmas, a joyful Christmastide.
Our prayers
accompany our wishes.
May God bless you throughout the year ahead.
May he
give you a strong faith and to you also,
the feeling of living in his cupped
hands, 'in good hands.'
With peace and trust in your heart,
you will spend
a good and contented 2010.
This is what Africans have taught us about
life.
They taught us to read Jesus' Gospel.
Was not Africa, Egypt,
the
land of welcome for the 12 sons of Jacob in peril?
Was not Africa,
Egypt,
the land of welcome for the Holy Family?
We think about it in this
Christmas season.
Africa, Egypt, is also the land the Hebrews escaped
from
when life became too difficult.
Africa in 2010 is the
continent
where it is most difficult to survive.
How many Africans cannot
take it anymore
and put their lives at risk
'crossing the Red Sea',
to
disembark in the Promised Land of Europe or America?
We can understand
them,
because our own ancestors, too, crossed the Atlantic,
arriving from
other continents and seeking a better life in America.
Our Missionary Society
numbers 1,700 priests and brothers.
There are more than 300 young men between
the ages of 20 and 35 in training,
preparing to meet with the African
world,
in Africa as well as in the Americas.
If I insist on thanking you
once more,
it is because I am the new Provincial Superior of our Society in
the Americas
(Canada, United States, Mexico and Brazil),
succeeding Fr. Albert Thévenot (photo opposite),
appointed Bishop of Prince Albert,
Saskatchewan.
Your friendship and support enables our members
to have the
voice of hope resound in an Africa prey to turmoil.
(Click to enlarge and read the legend) |
Once again, I would ask you
in this Festive Season of Christmas and New Year,
do not forget the men and women of Africa in search of a quality of life.
After all, Africa is the cradle of humanity.
Africa is still asking for its place in God's sunshine.
An African proverb says, "God is like the sun.
When it visits the earth, it does not forget anyone,
not even the people in the little village hidden in the forest."
Julien Cormier
M Afr Provincial Superior
cormierjulien2000@yahoo.fr